Snorkel Newbie Question

[SexyK]

I have a fear of water over my head(not really fear but I must be able to touch the ground). Also I have a bum shoulder from surgery, n its really hard to tread water. I booked a snorkel excursion for my Dec cruise in Grand Turk. Wanted to know is snorkeling something I still can do? I hear they have to wear a vest, so will this help? I bought a US Diver snorkel set, is this premature? Thanks for any advice, it is truely appreciated.

[merinski]

I have a fear of water over my head(not really fear but I must be able to touch the ground). Also I have a bum shoulder from surgery, n its really hard to tread water. I booked a snorkel excursion for my Dec cruise in Grand Turk. Wanted to know is snorkeling something I still can do? I hear they have to wear a vest, so will this help? I bought a US Diver snorkel set, is this premature? Thanks for any advice, it is truely appreciated.

 

The vest is good. You blow some air into it & you float! You do swim, but if you have enough you can get back on the boat. It's good to have your own snorkel equpment , I don't know how clean thiers its. Have fun!

[VideoTech]

I have a fear of water over my head(not really fear but I must be able to touch the ground). Also I have a bum shoulder from surgery, n its really hard to tread water. I booked a snorkel excursion for my Dec cruise in Grand Turk. Wanted to know is snorkeling something I still can do? I hear they have to wear a vest, so will this help? I bought a US Diver snorkel set, is this premature? Thanks for any advice, it is truely appreciated.

 

Also, with regard to treading water: your fins will make it much easier to tread water, as they provide so much more power from your kicks than your bare feet.

 

With your concerns, I would strongly suggest doing your first time snorkeling at one of the many places where you can snorkel right off a beach. Tabayana Beach in Roatan, Honduras, is one place - there are many others. This way, you won't be much of a swim from anyplace where you can put your feet down on the bottom and get your head out of water.

 

I think once you find how easy it is to snorkel, and what a wonderful experience it is, your concerns will go away.

[Stevesan]

I have a fear of water over my head(not really fear but I must be able to touch the ground). Also I have a bum shoulder from surgery, n its really hard to tread water. I booked a snorkel excursion for my Dec cruise in Grand Turk. Wanted to know is snorkeling something I still can do? I hear they have to wear a vest, so will this help? I bought a US Diver snorkel set, is this premature? Thanks for any advice, it is truely appreciated.

 

Previous advise is sound. I'd add check your gear in a swimming pool. If not at home, then first thing when you get on board your ship.

 

It''s important to adjust the mask straps for a good seal. Tighter is NOT better. It can be make matters worse. A quick check for proper adjustment is to place the mask over your face with the strap hanging in front. Take in a breath. The mask should hold. Here's a more detailed method for a proper mask fit/adjustment. Mask fit is the same for both diving and snorkeling.

 

Following is an excellent mask fitting procedure:

 

Almost all modern masks have an outer seal and a narrower inner seal. This inside seal covers everywhere except just under the nose. If both of these seals touch the face than the odds of that mask fitting and not leaking are very good. This is done by putting the mask on with the strap loose, but in place, and then tightening it to what would be normal if you were diving. Some divers who have had very bad masks are in the habit of over tightening the strap on a new mask in hopes of a better seal. Don't do that especially while trying masks for fit.

 

The next step takes a second person or a mirror. Look around the entire inside of the mask checking to see that the inner seal touches everywhere. It is very important not to inhale through the nose which forces the mask seals to touch if they didn't naturally. Next check the outside seal the same way.

 

If the inner seal is not touching the face, especially next to the side of the eyes, it is likely the mask won't work well. But do check everywhere around the inside. The outer seal might keep water from dripping in but not as well as if both seals touch. Make sure the seals do not cut across any hairline or eyebrows. Also that the side seals are not right at the edge of the eye.

 

One other problem can occur when someone laughs, smiles or even squints. This motion creates lines or wrinkles next to the nose. Sometimes this makes a passage where water pours in. Almost every mask will leak when this happens. So don't laugh! Occasionally, depending on the person, these wrinkles may remain even after they stop laughing. In this case it may be necessary to straighten the face by pulling down or sideways on the cheeks. Again this is not necessarily a mask problem. So don't run out and buy a new mask.

 

If absolutely necessary, to keep everyone happy, you can now inhale slightly to check any unseen leaks. Sometimes a mask leaks around the glass. This is very unusual and is a one off problem, not the design of the mask. You can check this by holding the mask with the face plate parallel to the floor and putting water in the mask. If the face plate seal is faulty, drops of water will appear on the outside.

[Islandbear]

As long as you are comfortable, you will enjoy snorkeling. Everybody does. Just take you time, wear a vest, start slow, practice clearing water out of you snorkle tube and HAVE FUN! :)

[VideoTech]

Also, remember that you will not want your vest fully inflated. The vest is there primarily for a little added flotation if you need it, but if it's inflated fully, it will tend to push your chest up out of the water and make you work harder to swim.

 

I'd agree with the previous poster, who suggested some practice in a pool if you can.

[HMH G]

My mother isn't comfortable with water over her head or face either. We went snorkeling in St Johns, and it took her awhile to get acclimated, but once she relaxed, inflated the vest, and used the fins it was okay and she enjoyed it!

 

Just remember, you're not supposed to put your feet on the coral reefs so be sure you're comfortable floating with the vest before venturing out too deep!